Olympic 100m gold medalist Marcell Jacobs is making significant changes in his career, moving from Italy to Florida to train under new coach Rana Reider, according to the Italian track and field federation.
The 28-year-old athlete, who previously trained in Rome under Paolo Camossi, has been struggling with injuries since his surprise gold win at the Tokyo Olympics.
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Jacobs was born in Texas and moved to Italy as a child. His new coach, Reider, has previously trained 2022 World 100m bronze medalist Trayvon Bromell.
The move comes after Jacobs withdrew from the 100m semifinals at the 2022 World Championships due to leg injuries.
In a related development, Olympic 100m silver medalist Fred Kerley also announced a change in coaching.
Kerley, who Grenada’s Alleyne Francique previously trained, will now be trained by 1992 Olympic 400m gold medalist Quincy Watts.
The 28-year-old sprinter, who was the 2022 World 100m champion, indicated that the change was a calculated risk, stating, “Choosing to make changes is always risky, even riskier during a year like the Olympics.”
Kerley, who failed to make the World Athletics Championships 100m finals in Budapest in August, expressed his trust in Watts to bring out the best version of himself in what he described as the most important athletic year of his career.
He added: “I’m entrusting him to bring out the best version of myself in the most important athletic year of my career. Ya’ll ready?”
